Page:Fairy tales from the Arabian nights.djvu/313

 but since I am destined to be a slave, I would rather be yours than any other person's in the world, since you have obtained me so courageously and so worthily. From this instant I swear inviolable faith to you, and an entire submission to all your commands. I know who you are, and will tell you. You do not know yourself; but the time will come when I shall do you a service, for which you will feel obliged to me. As a proof of my sincerity, tell me what you desire, and I am ready to obey you.'

The princess's joy at her success was inexpressible, because it had cost her the lives of two beloved brothers, and given her more trouble and danger than she could have imagined before she tried it, notwithstanding what the dervish had said. 'Bird,' said she, 'I wish for many things which are of the greatest importance to me. I have been told that there is not far off a golden water; before all things, I ask you to tell me where it is.' The bird showed her the place, which was close by, and she went and filled a little silver flagon which she had brought with her. She returned to the bird, and said, 'Bird, this is not enough; I want also the singing tree; tell me where it is.'

'Turn round,' said the bird, 'and you will see behind you a wood, where you will find this tree.' The princess went into the wood, and by the harmonious sounds she heard soon knew the tree among many others, but it was very large and high. She came back to the bird and said, 'Bird, I have found the singing tree, but I can neither pull it up by the roots nor carry it.'

The bird replied, 'It is not necessary that you should take it up by the roots; break off a branch, and carry it to plant in your garden; it will take root as soon as it is put into the earth, and in a little time will grow to as fine a tree as this you see.'

When the Princess Parizade had in her hand the three things which the religious woman had told her of, and for which she had felt so great a desire, she said to the bird, 'Bird, all you have done for me as yet is not enough. You have been the cause of the death of my two brothers, who must be among the black stones which I saw as I came up the hill. I wish to take them home with me.'

The bird seemed reluctant to satisfy the princess on this point